Afghanistan Interior Minister: Number of rebel attacks increased by 40 percent compared to previous week; CRS: War in Afghanistan costs the US $223 billion
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    • Afghanistan Interior Minister Mohammad Anif Atmar stated on June 14 that in renewed violence across Afghanistan, 48 civilians, 30 policemen and 176 rebels were killed during the past week. He noted that the number of rebel attacks had increased by about 40 percent as compared to the previous week1.

    A report of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) stated that the war on terrorism in Afghanistan has cost the US $223 billion. It noted that costs were growing because of rising troop levels, increasing hostilities and for money required to upgrade the Afghan security forces2.

    US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 9, stated that peace deals concluded by the Pakistan army with elements of the Taliban resulted in “greater Taliban activity in Afghanistan” as such deals “freed the Taliban to come across the border as they felt no pressure from the Pakistan army.” He however expressed satisfaction over the recent actions taken by the Pakistan army3.

    Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s appointment as the new US commander in Afghanistan was confirmed by the US Senate Armed Services Committee on June 10. Testifying before the Committee, Gen. McChrystal noted that in COIN operations, “the impact of civilian casualties, collateral damages, cultural insensitivity and the inherent complexities involved in separating insurgents from the population often determine success or failure4.”

    In other developments, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the Obama administration to initiate a criminal probe into alleged corruption charges against an ex-American official of the UN who was accused of stealing $500,000 dollars of reconstruction aid meant for Afghanistan5.

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